Did you know that in the UK, 1 in 3 cats and 1 in 4 dogs are overweight? And as so many owners think their pet’s weight is fine, the problem continues to grow.
Feeding your pet a healthy, balanced diet is important to keeping them healthy, and making sure they live a long and happy life.
A balanced diet
Much like humans, our pets need the appropriate amounts of these ingredients in their diet:
- Protein
- Carbohydrates, including fibre
- Fats
- Vitamins and minerals
- Water
The quantities needed will be different depending on how old your pet is, and what species they are. For an accurate assessment of the right food to feed your pet, come and have a chat with us – our team will be happy to help!
Why is fibre important?
You may have heard that fibre is nothing more than a bulking agent, but this IS NOT TRUE.
Fibre comes in 2 main forms: insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fibre usually passes through the gut, helping to maintain a feeling of fullness and keeping the bowel moving regularly. Soluble fibre is digested within the intestines and helps to produce other substances that nourish the gut cells and provide a fuel source for the gut bacteria.
Choosing a healthy diet for your pet: top tips
Always aim for a high-quality, ‘complete and balanced diet’. This should contain all the ingredients your pet needs.
Look for the following on the food’s packaging:
- The country of manufacture
- Minimal legal requirements
- Contact details for enquiries/complaints
- A money-back guarantee
- Fixed formula
- Meets FEDIAF and local authority standards
- ‘Clinically proven’
- A clear source of protein (e.g. ‘Beef’ instead of ‘Animal Protein’)
Keeping an eye on your pet’s weight
It’s not just about what you feed your pet, it’s important for them to get the right quantity of food too. Most high-quality pet foods will provide portioning guidelines. It’s important to stick to this, and not to give your pet too many treats! (If you’re using treats to help train your pet, take a note of how many you’re using and alter their meal allowance accordingly.)
Because you see them every day, it can be difficult to spot when your pet is putting on weight. We recommend weighing them regularly so you can keep track. If you’re unsure, or would like further advice on keeping your pet fit and healthy, contact us today!
